Gideon is one of my favorite Bible heroes. In my wife’s Bible class curriculum, he’s known as “G. I. Deon!” I especially love the way he’s introduced…
The way Gideon sees himself:
Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
~Judges 6:11
His further questioning of God’s choice of him shows us a heart of humility and self-abasement. There was a lack of courage throughout all the land, and Gideon demonstrated this widespread fear. Everybody lived the part of the oppressed. But look at the way God sees Gideon (and announces accordingly):
And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!
~ Judges 6:12
I wrote in the margin of my Bible next to this verse, “God calls ’em like HE sees ’em!” We see God doing this throughout Scripture – God assigning names and titles to people who really don’t seem to fit the part because He sees what they can and will become. While the rest of the world labels us according to external factors, God labels us according to the heart.
God calls Gideon to be the leader of the people of Israel in a revolt against the oppression of the Midianites. Gideon’s initial reaction could be summarized like this…
- Who me?
- Who, YOU? (Judges 6:13)
- Are you sure? (Judges 6:17-24)
- Are you really, really sure? (Judges 6:36-40)
In other words, Gideon seemed to have little or no confidence whatsoever. Sound familiar? Modern Christianity has been hit with a plague of self-pity and pseudo-humility, which is really pride masquerading as humility. I know that confidence is sometimes a struggle for me. But the source of Gideon’s confidence is the source of my confidence as well… God’s calling!
There are plenty of times when I haven’t felt up to the tasks of preaching and leading a church as Pastor, but I believe I’m in my position because of God’s calling, so when I need to speak on His behalf, or when I need to make some tough and possibly controversial decision, or even when I’m at the side of a family in deep pain with few words to offer, I can stand strong in the confidence of God’s calling!
What do some of history’s greatest leaders have in common? People like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Paul, and Jesus Himself? To each one God had said “I’m with you, now go!”
Now, there are five calls in the life of every Christian (two which pertain to every member of the human race)…
We are called to salvation.
For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
~ 2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV
This is everybody. The witness of God in nature and via His Word offer a universal call to salvation to anyone who will respond.
We are called to holiness.
For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.
~1 Thessalonians 4:7 NKJV
Believers are called to live a holy life in Christ.
We are called to service.
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
~ Romans 11:29 NKJV
We are not saved to sit, but to serve. God has something in mind for every believer to be doing for His purpose and glory.
We are called to mission.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
~Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
We are called to judgment.
And as it is appointed for man once to die, and after this the judgment.
~Hebrews 9:27 NKJV
You may not feel like much, but God is all-powerful. You may not feel worthy, but God calls you worthy. You may not feel ready, but God will equip you. Go! And go in the confidence that God has called, assigned, equipped, and enabled You and in the confidence that He will remain with You as you go!
